Donald Trump spurred outrage among his critics on Saturday when he boosted a conspiracy theory suggesting a top Democratic contender had a fellow politician assassinated.
Trump on Saturday posted a video that asks the question, "Did Tim Walz really have (D) Melissa Hoertman (sic) assassinated???" In fact, Minnesota House of Representatives Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman were killed by a political assassin, Vance Boelter, who apparently supported Trump.
The video shared by Trump goes against the findings of his own Justice Department, and it raised red flags for political analysts.
MeidasTouch wrote, "Donald Trump is now reposting videos on Truth Social suggesting that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had Melissa Hortman assassinated."
"This is objectively evil, and calling it out should not be political," they added.
Author Tara Dublin wrote, "Every accusation is a confession."
Political humorist Jesus Freakin Congress said on Saturday, "Trump didn’t even so much as mention her name when she was assassinated…"
PatriotTakes, which purports to track right-wing extremism, chimed in, "Trump did it again. This is his 2nd post pushing a conspiracy that Governor Tim Walz had Melissa Hortman murdered in her own home. Absolutely disgusting."
Minnesota political operative Richard Carlbom said, "Donald Trump is spreading sickening, dangerous disinformation about Melissa Hortman’s assassination."
"I’m calling on the MN GOP, their elected officials, and every GOP candidate for Governor to condemn this — now," he then added.
Republicans against Trump added, "Trump shared a conspiracy post on Truth Social accusing Tim Walz of ordering the assassination of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman. Absolutely disgusting . (The reality is that Hortman’s murderer was a Trump supporter.)"